PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), one of the world’s largest motion
picture exhibitors, today announced that it is providing an audio
description option for people who are blind or have visual impairments,
in all of its first-run theatres. Cinemark is installing audio
description systems on a rolling basis across its circuit in conjunction
with the chain's conversion to an all-digital format. Installation is
well under way, and all of Cinemark’s theaters in California already
have audio description capability. Cinemark will be able to offer audio
description at all of its first-run theaters by mid 2013.

In audio description (also known as descriptive narration) a narrator
provides vocal description of key visual aspects of a movie; such as
descriptions of scenery, facial expressions, costumes, action settings,
and scene changes described audibly during natural pauses in dialogue or
critical sound elements. Narration of these elements is then woven into
the soundtrack of the program or film, so that the finished version is a
mix of program audio and descriptive narration. The description, which
is provided by movie studios, is available only to members of the
audience who choose to receive it via personal headsets and a receiver
provided at the theater.

The California Council of the Blind (CCB), a consumer advocacy
organization of people who are blind and visually impaired, and
individual blind Cinemark movie patrons applauded Cinemark's commitment.
Cinemark has worked closely with CCB and individual patrons with visual
impairments on its audio description initiative.

Rio Popper, an eleven-year-old sixth grader who lives in Redwood City,
California, was thrilled with Cinemark’s announcement: “Going to a movie
with audio description is way more fun than having to have my parents or
friends tell me what’s happening on the screen. There’s a Cinemark movie
complex near my house that has already installed the equipment and I
love going there.”

Donna Pomerantz, President of the California Council of the Blind, also
praised Cinemark’s announcement: “We are pleased with Cinemark’s support
for audio description. This national initiative makes first-run movies
available to millions of patrons who are blind and visually impaired.
They deserve to participate in this quintessential American experience.”

Cinemark selected the Fidelio audio description system from
Burbank-based Doremi Cinemas LLC to provide descriptive narration to
audience members who desire the service.

"Cinemark was pleased to collaborate with the CCB and some of our blind
patrons,” said Michael Cavalier, General Counsel and Senior Vice
President of Cinemark, USA, Inc. “The conversion to digital cinema has
facilitated the development of audio description systems like Fidelio.
We now have a platform that makes full implementation of an audio
description system viable. Cinemark has worked closely with our
suppliers to make certain that we are providing the highest quality
descriptive narration system,” he added.

Michael Archer, Vice President of Digital Cinema at Doremi, noted, "When
we began the in-house design of the Fidelio product, we worked closely
with Cinemark, our long-term partner, to create a viable, high-quality
system that provides audio description for digital cinema. We are
pleased to have this opportunity to work with Cinemark to provide
described movies to their patrons across the country."

About Cinemark Holdings, Inc.

Cinemark is a leading domestic and international motion picture
exhibitor, operating 461 theatres with 5,207 screens in 39 U.S. states,
Brazil, Mexico and 11 other Latin American countries as of June 30, 2012.For more information go to investors.cinemark.com.